Traditional Muzzle Loading Group

El Viejo · March 9, 2013, 11:57 AM

I am looking to find a traditional muzzle loading/rendevous group in the central Illinois area within reasonable distance of Springfield, Illinois. I am fascinated with this early era of American Gun history and would like to learn as much as possible from members of a traditional muzzle loading group.

Presently I have a Thompsen Center Hawken .50 that I put together myself from a kit years ago. Several weeks ago a friend of mine in Oklahoma invited me to a tradional muzzle loading shoot where I fired my Hawken for the first time. I am definitely hooked.

So, If anyone knows of such a group near Springfield, Illinois I would appreciate learning of them and who to contact to continue my journey back into America's firearms history.

Thank You,
El Viejo

spitpatch · March 9, 2013, 12:39 PM

My best advice would be to do what I did when I lived in Illinois. Move to Oklahoma!!!

mykeal · March 9, 2013, 01:49 PM

That was helpful.

I recommend you get in touch with the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA). Google NMLRA for their web site and look up local clubs and representatives in your area.

Rigmarol · March 9, 2013, 06:08 PM

Maybe this will help:
http://www.nmlra.org/clubs.asp?WhichState=IL

bedbugbilly · March 9, 2013, 06:53 PM

Same suggestion as RIGMAROL . . . get in touch with the NMLRA . . they should be able to tell you what's in your area . . . if you dont't belong to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association . . . you should. Muzzle Blasts - their publication . . is worth it. And then there is always "Friendship" . . . that's an experience everyone should have - both the Spring Nationals and Fall Nationals . . . lots of great folks to meet and lasting friendships to make . . .

kwhi43 · March 9, 2013, 08:25 PM

Ya, You can even meet ME!!

RonR6 · March 9, 2013, 09:02 PM

Pick up a copy of Muzzleblasts, the NMLRA magazine. In the middle of each issue is a list of all the sponsored clubs and shoot dates. See link in previous post to the NMLRA I did not check the sight but they may have the clubs listed. I'm sure if you called them up they would send you a free copy of there magazine.

DD4lifeusmc · March 9, 2013, 09:35 PM

google: Black powder rendezvous illinois.
A bunch come up.
Contact one sure they can lead you in the right direction.

Old Grump · March 10, 2013, 12:23 PM

All or most of the Illinois clubs for muzzle loaders are in this list:

http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/Clubs/ILclub.htm

drakecreek67 · March 10, 2013, 05:28 PM

Prairieland Frontiersmen located just south of Sullivan.They have a Rendevous coming up.Send me a pm and I will give you my ph. no. and give you more info.

El Viejo · March 10, 2013, 06:29 PM

Thanks to Everyone who responded to my request for locating a Traditional Muzzle Loading Club. I have followed all guidance and have joined the NMLRA last night when I came home from work. I will call names listed on clubs close by.

Thanks Again To All. Let's keep the Flame of Liberty burning brightly for generations yet unborn! Molon Labe!!

El Viejo

**4V50 Gary** · March 10, 2013, 06:40 PM

There's a fort (perhaps Fort Wayne) on the southern Illinois border across the river from Paduca, Kentucky. I know they hold a rendezvous there. You can also cross the border to Vincennes, Indiana to attend their rendezvous.

mykeal · March 10, 2013, 10:09 PM

Fort Wayne is in Detroit (my induction physical was held there).

Perhaps Fort Massac?

March 9, 2013, 11:57 AM	#1
El Viejo Junior Member Join Date: February 21, 2013 Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 3	Traditional Muzzle Loading Group I am looking to find a traditional muzzle loading/rendevous group in the central Illinois area within reasonable distance of Springfield, Illinois. I am fascinated with this early era of American Gun history and would like to learn as much as possible from members of a traditional muzzle loading group. Presently I have a Thompsen Center Hawken .50 that I put together myself from a kit years ago. Several weeks ago a friend of mine in Oklahoma invited me to a tradional muzzle loading shoot where I fired my Hawken for the first time. I am definitely hooked. So, If anyone knows of such a group near Springfield, Illinois I would appreciate learning of them and who to contact to continue my journey back into America's firearms history. Thank You, El Viejo

March 9, 2013, 06:53 PM	#5
bedbugbilly Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2009 Posts: 3,287	Same suggestion as RIGMAROL . . . get in touch with the NMLRA . . they should be able to tell you what's in your area . . . if you dont't belong to the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association . . . you should. Muzzle Blasts - their publication . . is worth it. And then there is always "Friendship" . . . that's an experience everyone should have - both the Spring Nationals and Fall Nationals . . . lots of great folks to meet and lasting friendships to make . . . __________________ If a pair of '51 Navies were good enough for Billy Hickok, then a single Navy on my right hip is good enough for me . . . besides . . . I'm probably only half as good as he was anyways. Hiram's Rangers Badge #63

March 9, 2013, 09:35 PM	#8
DD4lifeusmc Senior Member Join Date: October 12, 2012 Location: Wyoming Posts: 351	groups google: Black powder rendezvous illinois. A bunch come up. Contact one sure they can lead you in the right direction.

March 10, 2013, 12:23 PM	#9
Old Grump Member in memoriam Join Date: April 9, 2009 Location: Blue River Wisconsin, in Posts: 3,144	All or most of the Illinois clubs for muzzle loaders are in this list: http://www.muzzleloadermag.com/Clubs/ILclub.htm __________________ Good intentions will always be pleaded for any assumption of power. The Constitution was made to guard the people against the dangers of good intentions. There are men in all ages who mean to govern will, but they mean to govern. They promise to be good masters, but they mean to be masters. --Daniel Webster--

March 10, 2013, 06:29 PM	#11
El Viejo Junior Member Join Date: February 21, 2013 Location: Springfield, Illinois Posts: 3	Muzzle Loading/Rendevous Clubs Traditional Thanks to Everyone who responded to my request for locating a Traditional Muzzle Loading Club. I have followed all guidance and have joined the NMLRA last night when I came home from work. I will call names listed on clubs close by. Thanks Again To All. Let's keep the Flame of Liberty burning brightly for generations yet unborn! Molon Labe!! El Viejo

March 9, 2013, 12:39 PM	#2
spitpatch Senior Member Join Date: August 31, 2009 Location: Arizona Posts: 171	My best advice would be to do what I did when I lived in Illinois. Move to Oklahoma!!!

March 9, 2013, 01:49 PM	#3
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	That was helpful. I recommend you get in touch with the National Muzzle Loading Rifle Association (NMLRA). Google NMLRA for their web site and look up local clubs and representatives in your area.

March 9, 2013, 06:08 PM	#4
Rigmarol Senior Member Join Date: January 29, 2005 Location: Southern California Posts: 344	Maybe this will help: http://www.nmlra.org/clubs.asp?WhichState=IL

March 9, 2013, 08:25 PM	#6
kwhi43 Senior Member Join Date: August 21, 2008 Location: Kansas City Posts: 1,393	Ya, You can even meet ME!!

March 9, 2013, 09:02 PM	#7
RonR6 Senior Member Join Date: February 2, 2013 Location: South Eastern PA Posts: 108	Pick up a copy of Muzzleblasts, the NMLRA magazine. In the middle of each issue is a list of all the sponsored clubs and shoot dates. See link in previous post to the NMLRA I did not check the sight but they may have the clubs listed. I'm sure if you called them up they would send you a free copy of there magazine.

March 10, 2013, 05:28 PM	#10
drakecreek67 Junior Member Join Date: April 28, 2012 Posts: 5	Prairieland Frontiersmen located just south of Sullivan.They have a Rendevous coming up.Send me a pm and I will give you my ph. no. and give you more info.

March 10, 2013, 06:40 PM	#12
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,833	There's a fort (perhaps Fort Wayne) on the southern Illinois border across the river from Paduca, Kentucky. I know they hold a rendezvous there. You can also cross the border to Vincennes, Indiana to attend their rendezvous. __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

March 10, 2013, 10:09 PM	#13
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	Fort Wayne is in Detroit (my induction physical was held there). Perhaps Fort Massac?